Alimemazine
Classification: BATC code: R06AD01
Summary
The sedative effect of trimeprazine in children has been shown to be similar in boys and girls. Studies on adults with sex-divided analysis are lacking. Alimemazine (trimeprazine) has anticholinergic effect and may induce acute urinary retention in men with prostatic hypertrophy, and worsen glaucoma or cause paralytic ileus in both men and women.
Additional information
Alimemazine is also known as trimeprazinein English literature.
Pharmacokinetics and dosing
No studies with a clinically relevant sex analysis regarding the pharmacokinetics of trimeprazine have been found. A reduced dose should be used in the elderly due to the anticholinergic effects of trimeprazine (see Effects) [1].
Effects
In the major outcome trials of trimeprazine [2, 3], no sex analysis of the results have been performed. The influence of sex on the outcome of sedation using trimeprazine during dental treatment of children has been investigated in a retrospective analysis of sedation records (21 boys, 27 girls; age 3-8 years). The children received oral trimeprazine dosage of 3.8 mg/kg. There was no difference in sedation outcome between boys and girls. Both boys and girls had similar rates of both successful and unsuccessful sedation sessions [4].A double-blind placebo-controlled study evaluated the effects of trimeprazine on infant sleep disturbance (7 boys, 5 girls; age 6-27 months). Children without prior sedative medication received the low-dose (15 mg/10 ml for 21 nights), whereas children with previous experience of sedative medication received the high-dose (30 mg/10 ml for 10 nights). The results showed that trimeprazine was not a clinically effective treatment for infant sleeps disturbance. Although girls tended to have slightly more severe sleeps problems than boys, the response was the same for both boys and girls [5].
Trimeprazine has anticholinergic activity and may induce acute urinary retention in men with prostatic hypertrophy, and worsen glaucoma or cause paralytic ileus in both men and women [1].
Adverse effects
No studies with a clinically relevant sex analysis regarding adverse effects of trimeprazine have been found.
Reproductive health issues
Regarding teratogenic aspects, please consult Janusmed Drugs and Birth Defects (in Swedish, Janusmed fosterpåverkan).
Other information
A Norwegian registry study has examined the dispensing of trimeprazine to children aged 0-3 years and investigated the association between dispensing of trimeprazine to children and dispensed hypnotics to their parents during 12 months prior to pregnancy (1022 boys, 755 girls). Hypnotics use in mothers increased the risk of the child receiving trimeprazine (odds ratio 2.3 for boys and 1.7 for girls). When both parents had used hypnotics, the risk increased (odds ratio 2.8 for boys and 2.9 for girls) [6].
Updated: 2020-08-28
Date of litterature search: 2015-10-14
References
- Dollery C Sir, editor. Therapeutic drugs. 2nd ed. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone; 1999
- BINNING R, WATSON WR, SAMRAH M, MARTIN E. Premedication for adenotonsillectomy. Br J Anaesth. 1962;34:812-6. PubMed
- Krause L, Shuster S. Mechanism of action of antipruritic drugs. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed). 1983;287:1199-200. PubMed
- Bello LL. Factors affecting efficacy of oral trimeprazine sedation for dental procedures in children: A retrospective study. Saudi Dent J. 2011;23:87-90. PubMed
- France KG, Blampied NM, Wilkinson P. A multiple-baseline, double-blind evaluation of the effects of trimeprazine tartrate on infant sleep disturbance. Exp Clin Psychopharmacol. 1999;7:502-13. PubMed
- Holdø I, Handal M, Skurtveit S, Bramness JG. Association between prescribing hypnotics for parents and children in Norway. Arch Dis Child. 2013;98:732-6. PubMed
- Läkemedelsstatistik. Stockholm: Socialstyrelsen. 2015 [cited 2016-04-29] länk
Reviewed by: Mia von Euler
Approved by: Karin Schenck-Gustafsson